The Cincinnati Bengals finally clinched their first victory of the season in a nail-biting game at Pekor Stadium on Monday night. Despite Joe Burrow not delivering his best performance, Larry Wilson and the Bengals’ defense held off the Rams, securing a 19-16 win.
Amidst the chaos, Bengal fans had yet to breathe easy, as consecutive losses at the start of the season had raised concerns in the Queen City. Burrow struggled, especially in the first half, facing difficulty escaping the pocket and missing some crucial throws. Cincinnati failed to capitalize on the last half-hour in the opponent’s territory.
However, the Rams moved the ball effortlessly in the first half, reaching the Bengals’ five-yard line twice but settling for two field goals. As the game concluded before the halftime break, LA failed to convert any third-down conversions and trailed 0-3 inside the red zone.
The game was evenly poised at 6-6 after forgettable attacks from both sides in the first half. The Bengals seized control in the third quarter with Ja’Marr Chase making a spectacular catch at the end of the night, covering 141 yards. Chase, along with Mixon, sprinted 14 yards into the end zone for a 13-9 lead.
Larry Wilson’s second interception in the game, thwarting Ivan McPherson’s attempt, extended the lead to 19-9 with another field goal.After sacking Matthew Stafford six times and taking him out of the game, the defense kept him under constant pressure.
With less than two minutes in the fourth quarter, the Los Angeles end zone seemed imminent, but time had run out. Stafford turned in a lackluster performance on 18 of 33 attempts for 269 yards, one touchdown, and two interceptions as the Bengals were unable to take advantage of early opportunities.
The significance of the Bengals’ first win of the season is undeniable. However, perhaps more crucial is Burrow’s resilience, as he threw for 259 yards and one interception, staying alive in the game and entering the fourth week with optimism.
Wilson’s second interception truly changed the course of the game. Just after the Bengals’ touchdown, Stafford completed a deep pass to Jefferson, but a tip at the line led to Stafford’s second turnover, and Cincinnati maintained their lead until the finish line.
After a sluggish offensive first half that even brought jeers from the Cincinnati crowd, Mixon and the Bengals were able to find the end zone.
On Monday night, the Bengals got to Stafford six times, and by the end of the game, they were posing a serious threat to the Los Angeles offensive line.
In the Bengals’ victory, Logan Wilson’s two picks of Matthew Stafford on defense proved to be crucial.